I have a /root/.my.cnf file which stores the mysql root user's password: [client] password = "my password" When I log in as system root and enter mysql, I get a passwordless login: myuser@local:$ sudo su root@local:$ mysql mysql> But when I try to do the same just using sudo, I get access denied: myuser@local:$ sudo mysql ERROR 1045 (28000): Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: NO) How can I get sudo mysql to log me in as the mysql root user, without entering a password?